Chicks sleeping in nest boxes

[humpbacks1962]

I thought they were high enough, but the chicks learned to use the ladder to the nest boxes! They are around 7-9 weeks old. I just read a post where people talk about blocking the next boxes until they are older. Why is that?

They do look pretty cute all bunched up together and warm...

 

[HEChicken]

Usually we don't want them sleeping in the nest boxes because they poop in their sleep and it gets kind of messy. Once the habit has formed, they continue to want to sleep there after they start laying and that makes for some messy eggs.

 

[humpbacks1962]

Fair enough!
Guess this is the first and last night they sleep in the nest box until they are ready to lay!
Thanks